RU2787073C1 - Integrated climate monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: climate parameters monitoring systems.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to systems for monitoring climate parameters at various facilities. The system contains a climate probe and a cloud server connected to each other by means of a wireless connection. The climate probe contains a housing, a frame fixed in the housing, and a motherboard fixed on the frame. The motherboard contains a microcontroller installed on it with wireless interfaces, configured to receive and transmit control signals, as well as connectors for connecting measuring sensors, a power supply unit, a power control unit, and a watchdog timer. The cloud server and the climate probe are equipped with a software API interface, which is designed to receive data from the climate probe both using the cloud server and directly, bypassing the cloud server. At the same time, the system is configured to automatically change the firmware of the climatic probe, depending on the connectors installed in it and detected through scanning during the start of the measuring sensors.

EFFECT: ensuring the reliability of the system and its versatility, increasing the efficiency of obtaining data, increasing the efficiency of monitoring.

7 cl, 1 tbl

Description

State of the art

In the prior art, a device for controlling the microclimate in a room is known. (RU197598U1, 05/15/2020). The device contains a display, a power supply control device for a carbon dioxide sensor, a DC/DC converter, a communication module, a carbon dioxide sensor installed on the board, and the microcontroller includes a block for obtaining values from the sensors of the device, a block for calculating the correction factor for humidity, a block for calculating the correction factor for temperature, a block for calculating the ratio of the resistance of a carbon dioxide sensor, a block for calculating the concentration of carbon dioxide, a block for recording data, a microcontroller RAM.

The disadvantage of this solution is that such a design does not have a sufficient number of necessary connectors and types of interfaces for connecting sensors and actuators, the variability of power supply and connection of sensors is not provided, there is no watchdog timer, there is no possibility of battery operation, continuous operation and the ability to customize the operation of the device by the user, which together does not allow us to call this device universal, efficient and reliable.

The claimed device allows to substantially overcome these disadvantages inherent in the analogue.

Disclosure of invention

The technical challenge is to create a climate monitoring system that can effectively and reliably perform its work, while possessing versatility and variability, allowing the user to obtain data on any climate parameters in any combination in any conditions.

The technical result is to ensure the reliability of the monitoring system and its versatility, which increase the efficiency of obtaining climate data and the effectiveness of climate monitoring in general.

The technical result is achieved due to the fact that the integrated climate monitoring system includes a climate probe and a cloud server connected to each other by means of a wireless connection, and the climate probe contains a housing, a frame fixed in the housing, a motherboard fixed on the frame, while the motherboard contains there is a microcontroller with wireless interfaces capable of receiving and transmitting control signals, connectors for connecting at least one measuring sensor, a power supply unit, a power management unit, a watchdog timer, and the server and the probe are equipped with a software API interface configured to receive data from climate probe both using a cloud server and directly, bypassing a call to a cloud server, while the system is configured to automatically change the firmware of the climate probe, depending on the one installed in it and detected through scanning connectors at startup, at least one measuring sensor.

In addition, at least three I2C connectors, at least two UART connectors, at least one SPI connector, and at least one analog connector are used as connectors installed on the motherboard for connecting measuring sensors. .

In addition, the climate probe motherboard is equipped with USB type-C power connectors, DC barrel and terminal terminal.

In addition, the climate probe is designed to be powered from two sources.

In addition, the microcontroller additionally has a rechargeable battery, a charge / discharge controller for the battery and a backup power supply.

In addition, a real-time clock and external non-volatile memory are additionally installed on the microcontroller.

In addition, the system is designed to support gsm, Bluetooth, wifi, ethernet, modbus data transfer interfaces with the ability to work with several of them simultaneously.

Implementation of the invention

The claimed climate monitoring system is designed to control and improve the climate, allows you to collect, analyze and visualize information about climate parameters at various facilities, control climate equipment and transmit the collected data, notifications and commands to the end user. A consumer (user) can be a person, a device or an external information system.

Monitoring objects may include:

• real estate - living quarters, warehouses, offices, reception rooms, technical rooms (server rooms, etc.), shops, cultural and historical buildings, social facilities (schools, kindergartens, hospitals), industrial premises and laboratories, farms and greenhouses;

• open spaces (for environmental monitoring purposes);

• other objects (cars and other equipment, hoods).

The system has the following main characteristics:

• a wide range of climate monitoring parameters (more than 20);

• a wide range of user (UI) and program (API) interfaces;

• implementation in the concept of the Internet of things (IoT);

• modular design and the possibility of customization according to the needs of the user.

The system consists of the following elements:

• climate probe (IoT), which collects climate data and transfers them to the cloud storage (cloud server), configures monitoring parameters and transmits data, visual indication of the quality of individual environmental parameters;

• cloud server with web-interface and API - stores, analyzes and visualizes data, monitors and controls the operation of the climate probe, supports the operation of the API.

The climate probe includes a housing, a frame fixedly installed in the housing, a motherboard with a microcontroller installed in the frame, equipped with various connectors and interfaces, from one to several climatic measuring sensors, and auxiliary elements. The probe body can be made of any shape and from any materials.

The case can consist of two parts - the main part of the case itself and the back cover.

The frame is designed in such a way that it allows you to reliably and easily install / fix elements in the case, for example, the motherboard, various sensors and auxiliary elements. The frame can be attached to the body in several ways, for example:

- On the inside of the main part of the body, skids are installed into which the frame is placed and fixed. The frame is pressed against the main part of the housing by the rear cover of the housing.

- The frame is attached to the back cover of the case with screws. Next, the frame is inserted into the main part of the body. The cover is attached to the main part, thus ensuring the immobility of the frame inside the case.

The motherboard is attached to the frame with screws. To install the board in the frame, a special seat is provided with supports that match the holes in the motherboard. Screws are screwed through these holes. The screws are screwed into the supports, fixing the motherboard in place.

The motherboard interrogates and processes the readings of measuring digital and analog sensors with subsequent data logging and sending them via the Internet, issuing control actions, and ensures operability when the supply voltage is turned off.

The cloud server and the climate probe can be equipped with a software API interface that can receive data from the climate probe both using the cloud server and directly, bypassing the cloud server, while the system can be configured to automatically change the firmware of the climate probe in depending on installed in it, and detected through the scan of the connectors at startup, at least one measuring sensor.

As measuring sensors, digital and analog sensors can be used, such as: radiation sensors, anemometers, sensors for temperature, humidity, pressure, dust concentration, concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOC), formaldehyde, noise level sensors, illumination, light pulsation, spectrum light, magnetic field strength, vibration, as well as sensors for CO2, NH3, CO, NO2, H2, C2H5OH, O3, O2 and others.

At the same time, the sensors measure various climate parameters (from one to twenty-two parameters) with a wide range and low error, which ensures high accuracy and completeness of the ambient climate measurement. Below is a table with examples of measurement parameters, with their range and error.

Table 1 No. Parameter Range Error 1 Temperature - 40 to 80 ± 0.5°C 2 Humidity 0 - 99.9% ± 2%. 3 Pressure 300 - 1100 hPa ±0.6 hPa four Dust concentration pm1, pm2.5, pm10 0 -500 µg/m ³ ±10 µg/m ³ five VOC concentration (VOC) 0 - 1187 mm ³ /m ³ ± 0.5 mm ³ /m ³ 6 CO2 concentration 0 - 5000 ^cm3 / ^m3 ±50 cm ³ /m ³ 7 Noise level 30 - 90 dB 1.5 dB 8 illumination 1 - 65535 lux 7 lux nine Ripple of light 0-1000% 10% 10 Magnetic field strength ±4800 µT 1.2 μT eleven Vibration ±2g 2% 12 spectrum of light 450…650 nm ±5 nm 13 NH3 0.697 - ^348.264 mg/m3 10% fourteen CO 0 - ^572.804 mg/m3 10% 15 NO2 0.094 - ^18.818 mg/m3 10% sixteen H2 0.083 - ^82.618 mg/m3 10% 17 C2H5OH 0.409 - ^94.213 mg/m3 10% eighteen O3 0 - ^19.632 mg/m3 0.098 mg/ ^m3 nineteen O2 0-25% 2% 20 Formaldehyde 0 - 6.14 mg/ ^m3 0.012 mg/ ^m3 21 Radiation 0 - 144,000 µR/h 10% (by radium) 22 Air flow rate 0 - 30 m/s 0.3+ 5%

The motherboard is self-powered, it has a microcontroller with wireless interfaces, such as WiFi and Bluetooth, for data transfer, connectors (ports) for connecting measuring sensors and actuators, a power supply unit, a power management unit, a real-time clock, an external non-volatile memory, watchdog timer, rechargeable battery, battery charge/discharge controller, backup power supply.

At least three I2C connectors, at least two UART connectors, at least one SPI connector, and at least one analog connector can be provided for connecting measuring sensors.

Supporting infrastructure fixed on the frame can be such auxiliary elements as a cooler, lora/ethernet/gsm modem, battery, buttons, diode matrix, etc.

Power can be supplied from the mains 5V - 3A (JST 2.54) and from a lithium-ion battery (1S - 3.7V) (JST 2.54). The board also has a battery charge/discharge controller (power management). USB type-C, DC barrel and terminal terminal can be used as power connectors installed on the board.

Additionally, the board has an external non-volatile EEPROM memory of 512 KB and a real-time clock with a battery for data logging, a side clock button, and a battery charge LED. Using the appropriate connectors on the board, it is possible to install a cooler (JST 2.54), the ability to install tweeters with and without a generator (JST 2.54), the ability to install a GSM modem, the ability to install an Ethernet module;

The JST 2.54 connector snaps into the mating part and provides a contact that is resistant and reliable to vibrations and other mechanical influences.

To ensure uninterrupted operation and increase the efficiency / reliability of the system, a watchdog timer is installed on the board. It serves to prevent the "freeze" of the main microcontroller. When the board is working, it must be periodically rebooted. To do this, it is necessary to apply a variable edge (signal transition from low to high position) of the pulse to the IO32 pin. This pulse must occur at least every 60 seconds (more often if possible). When the controller freezes, the timer resets it by power - the controller loses power for about 200ms, after which it is restored.

The power management unit selects, depending on the load and power of the power supply, the power source (battery or external power supply). In the event of a power failure, it acts as an uninterruptible power supply unit (backup power supply).

The control unit is an assembly of transistors for issuing a control action - such as controlling a power relay. Allows you to connect a load with a total consumption of up to 1 A.

In addition, there is an interface for connecting digital peripherals through a digital peripheral control unit with PWM capability, as well as an interface for a fan with a speed controller, an interface for an LED panel, and a OneWire interface.

The server is capable of receiving any sets of climate data from devices. Interfaces are capable of transmitting any sets of climate data from devices.

The cloud server contains a web user interface that performs the following functions:

• visualization of data from devices;

• management and configuration of devices;

• export of data from devices.

The interface contains the following blocks of information and controls:

• registration form with fields for authorization and a link to registration in the system;

• an interactive map showing the points of location of devices and the ability to go to statistics on devices;

• link to go to your personal account;

• navigation block between accessible buildings, premises and devices;

• a block with current values of climate parameters with color indication of climate compliance with the current climate profile (norms);

• buttons for displaying historical information (graphs) and switching to the full version of the map;

• widget with historical information, graphs;

• block for selecting the period for displaying historical information, graphs;

• buttons for exporting historical information (chart data) and hiding historical information;

• scroll to navigate between widgets.

The system allows the user to receive data on any climate parameters in any combination under any conditions. Due to the modular nature of the sensors, the user himself chooses the climate parameters, interfaces and packaging. Regardless of the selected sensors and interfaces, the data is transmitted to the server and output to the data transfer interfaces.

The device is updated automatically. Firmware is stored on the server. Firmware is delivered to devices from a central server, provided that the device is connected to the Internet. The firmware of the device is carried out automatically. Checking for a new firmware is carried out by the device when it is turned on, as well as every day of operation.

Firmware algorithm:

• the device checks the firmware on the server;

• if there is a newer firmware, the device downloads it and enters the update mode.

Programming interface (API) on the device.

The functionality of the "hardware" API allows the user to receive data from the climate probe directly, bypassing the request to the cloud server. To obtain data on a climate probe, you need to know its ip-address or its domain name.

Programming interface (API) on the server.

The API functionality implements two scenarios:

• obtaining the latest data on the climate probe;

• obtaining a sample of all data on the requested device in the specified time interval.

Initially, the controller has firmware that implements only two functions: registering a device in the cloud and polling ports to determine connected sensors. After successful interrogation and registration of the device on the server, a request is sent to the server to provide the firmware in accordance with the sensors found on the device (on the ports (connectors) of the device).

When you add a new probe to a probe, the probe will automatically be detected through a port scan at startup and connected to the device.

Several different firmware versions can be implemented in the system. Differences in firmware are due to the set of supported sensors and the logic of working with them (the logic of collecting parameters from sensors). For example, the first version receives temperature data from the bme680 internal sensor, the second version from the anemometer sensor, the third version from the remote temperature sensor. When a new sensor is added to the probe, the sensor will also be detected (through a port scan at startup) and connected to the device and, if necessary, a new firmware version will be downloaded.

Advantages of the claimed system:

• connection of any set of sensors depending on the needs of the user

• the ability to add/remove/replace a sensor in an already operating device

• the ability to use the device in different conditions: home, office, street, exhaust, etc.

• the ability to take 20+ climate parameters with one device

• support for 5+ different data transfer interfaces (gsm, bt, wifi, ethernet, modbus, etc.), the ability to work simultaneously with multiple interfaces (ethernet + gsm, etc.)

• accuracy of professional sensors due to the connection of sensors already on the market

• easy integration with other systems through the implementation of a universal (single regardless of the number of sensors) api on the device and on the server

• the ability to connect to the cloud different versions of devices

• the ability to work with the device (receive data) through various channels: mobile application, web-ui on the device, web-ui on the server, telegram bot, api.

At the first start, the device automatically searches for connected sensors (sensors) and data interfaces.

After compiling a list of connected components, the device automatically accesses the server and downloads the firmware to work with a given set of components. The device automatically updates the firmware.

At the next start and subsequent operation, the device collects data from the sensors once in a specified time interval and transfers them to the server. Settings (if necessary) and control commands are returned to the device from the server.

Also, on a control command, the device can raise its own server with a user interface that allows you to configure the device operation (configuration of data networks, configuration of sensors, diodes, etc.) via web-ui.

The server receives and stores data from the device. The server is also responsible for the functionality of authorization of devices, users and external information systems.

The user interface on the server allows you to view current and historical data from devices, configure devices and data display modes, and configure the notification system.

Software interfaces allow, on an external command, to receive current or historical climate data for specific devices from devices or a server.

The monitoring system is designed to work in various versions, for example:

1. Transferring data from the sensor to an external system

The sensor has a software interface that allows external information systems to receive data from the device. To receive data, a request-response logic is used. The consumer is the external system, the supplier is the sensor. The external IC sends a data request to the sensor and waits for a response. The sensor in the response message transmits the collected data of the last measurement in the form of a data array.

2. Transferring data from the sensor to the server

The sensor collects data for a certain time. The sensor generates a request to the server. The request contains data on climate parameters and measurement time in the form of an array. In a response message, the server sends to the sensor a confirmation of data receipt, or an error, or a confirmation of data receipt + an array with settings for measuring monitoring parameters. The settings may include updated parameters for the frequency of data collection / transmission, configuration of the diode array, etc.

The server accumulates data from the sensor. Further:

2.1 When a user works with a server through a personal account (web interface), a web page with current (historical/dynamic) climate data is rendered on the server.

2.2 When the user works with the server through an external information system, the program interface on the server is used. The external IC sends a request to the server to provide current data from a specific sensor or data for a period of time from a specific sensor. In the response message, the server sends the requested data in the form of an array to the external IS.

Claims (7)

1. An integrated climate monitoring system, characterized in that it includes a climate probe and a cloud server connected to each other by means of a wireless connection, the climate probe comprising a case, a frame fixed in the case, a motherboard fixed on the frame, while the motherboard contains a microcontroller with wireless interfaces capable of receiving and transmitting control signals, connectors for connecting at least one measuring sensor, a power supply unit, a power management unit, a watchdog timer, and the server and the probe are equipped with a software API interface configured to receive data from climate probe both using a cloud server and directly, bypassing a call to a cloud server, while the system is configured to automatically change the firmware of the climate probe, depending on the firmware installed in it and detected through the scan of the connectors at startup, at least at least one measuring sensor. 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least three connectors with I2C interface, at least two connectors with UART interface, at least one connector with SPI interface and at least one analog connector. 3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the climate probe motherboard has USB type-C power connectors, a DC barrel and a terminal terminal. 4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the climate probe is designed to be powered from two sources. 5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the microcontroller additionally has a battery, a battery charge/discharge controller and a backup power supply. 6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the microcontroller additionally has a real-time clock and an external non-volatile memory. 7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made with support for gsm, Bluetooth, wifi, ethernet, modbus data transfer interfaces with the ability to work with several of them simultaneously.